Hales - "What Think Ye of Christ?" "Whom Say Ye That I Am?" - April 1979

Elder Hales speaks about our belief as members of the church in Jesus Christ.  He shares that each of us will be asked at a future time, what do we think of Christ and our testimonies will be all we have to answer with.

• At one point in our eternal progression, each one of us is going to have to answer the question, Who is Jesus Christ? We are told that every eye shall see, every ear shall hear, and every knee shall bow, every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
  

Many say they believe in Christ but do not believe that some things are literally true.

• Many profess to be Christians and yet do not believe that Jesus Christ is the literal Son of God, indeed, the eldest son of God the Father. Men are willing to follow some of his teachings but do not recognize the divine, eternal purpose and the significance of his life to all mankind. “What think ye of Christ?” and “Whom say ye that I am?” These were questions asked by Jesus to make men think, so that he might teach them who he was, that they might use their own free agency, come to their own conclusions and commitments, follow him, and gain a testimony that he is the Son of God, our Redeemer.

Elder Hales goes through some basic beliefs that we have as members of the church about Jesus Christ.  This is a great list of things we believe about Jesus Christ.

• Jesus Christ is a god; he is the Jehovah of the Old Testament and the Savior of the New Testament.
  
• Jesus Christ dwelt in the heavens with his Father, and we dwelt with them as spirit children of God the Father.
  
• Jesus Christ presented his Father’s eternal plan, that plan of which we are all part. We come to this earth to undergo testing for a probationary period and to have opposition in all things. Through the eternal principle of free agency, we are free to choose liberty and eternal life and return to God’s presence if we live righteous lives; or to choose captivity and spiritual death.
  
• Jesus Christ is the creator of all things on earth, under the direction of his Father.
  
• Jesus Christ came to this earth, born of Mary, a mortal mother. His Father was Almighty God.
  
• Jesus Christ was baptized by immersion by John the Baptist, and the Holy Ghost was manifest in the “Spirit like a dove descending upon him.” And his Father spoke: “Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
• Jesus Christ organized his church and selected twelve apostles, and also prophets, seventies, and evangelists.
  
• Jesus Christ’s message is unique. He stands between us and his Father; he is the Mediator.
  
• Jesus Christ is the Redeemer, our Savior; only he with a mortal mother and an immortal Father could fulfill the Atonement and die to save all mankind. He did so of his own free will and choice.
• Jesus Christ was resurrected and appeared to many after his resurrection.
  
• Jesus Christ’s ascension into heaven before the eyes of his disciples was accompanied by the promise that in like manner he would come again.
  
• Jesus Christ appeared with his Father and restored the same organization he established during his ministry through Joseph Smith the Prophet in these latter days.
  
• Jesus Christ leads and guides his church today through revelation to a prophet.
  

Finally, Elder Hales invites us to follow the Savior and learn personally that He is our Savior and Redeemer.

• Jesus Christ’s admonition to “come … follow me” and “follow thou me” is the challenge that he gave to each of us. He lived in the preexistence in the spirit world; he dwelt with God his Father. He is the Son, Jesus Christ. We took a mortal body upon us. We’ll have opposition; we will taste death and be resurrected because of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He will be granted a degree of glory. We can have that same degree of glory—the celestial kingdom; if we are worthy. We can dwell once again with God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ throughout all the eternities.

Elder Hales speaks so plainly about our beliefs in Jesus Christ.  The list of beliefs above make me wonder how some can claim we are not Christians.  We worship our Savior Jesus Christ.  He is the only way for us to return to live with God.  He is the only way for us to live again after this life.  I am grateful for my personal relationship with Him.  I am grateful that He decides to express His love to me in personal ways that build my belief in Him and my desire to follow Him.